flying start

noun

1
: a start in racing in which the participants are already moving when they cross the starting line or receive the starting signal
2
: a favorable start of something

Examples of flying start in a Sentence

The meeting got off to a flying start. The restaurant made a flying start by filling up on opening night.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fraser and Carter then gave Scotland a brilliant flying start to the chase. ABC News, 18 June 2026 But even if just a few of them do, Alexander Steen’s introduction to his new GM job will be off to a flying start. Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 18 June 2026 Hairstory got off to a flying start, despite being priced in the prestige range. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026 As if that wasn’t enough of a flying start, Pickett is also adapting her play for the BBC, and has written a film about Joan of Arc with Baz Luhrmann. The Week Uk, TheWeek, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for flying start

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flying start was in 1851

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flying start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flying%20start. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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